Summer safety part 2: Driveway safety
Be aware of children playing in driveways and help keep them safe by following these tips.
Summer is finally here and after a long winter, it’s easy to forget how important it is to keep our kids safe in the summer. Summer brings about fun in the sun, picnics, days at the beach and so many more fun and relaxing opportunities for friends and families to gather. Keep those summer activities fun by keeping kids safe. In this series of articles from Michigan State University Extension, we will explore some safety issues that may arise during the summer and how to avoid the downfalls associated with them. This article will explore driveway safety and children.
It’s encouraged that children go outside and play once the cold weather breaks and the snow melts. Nothing is better than getting out in the driveway and being able to ride bikes, play on scooters and do some decorating with sidewalk chalk. Getting kids outside in the driveway to play is great, but as parents, caregivers or family members, we need to be aware of children playing in driveway. As kids play, they may not pay attention to their surroundings or know to look for possible hazards.
Safe Kids Worldwide reports that more than 9,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for injuries that occurred while they were unattended in or around motor vehicles. Furthermore, they say that many of these preventable injuries occur when drivers are unaware of children near vehicles.
What can we do? In a driveway safety fact sheet from Safe Kids Worldwide, it’s suggested that:
- Before you drive away, take a few seconds to walk all the way around your parked car to check for children.
- You designate a safe spot for children to wait when nearby vehicles are about to move and make sure the drivers can see them.
- You accompany little kids when they get in and out of a vehicle. Hold their hand while walking near moving vehicles or in driveways and parking lots or on sidewalks.
Keep summer safe for the children in your life. Be aware of children playing in driveways and help keep them safe by following the tips above and talking with kids about how to stay safe in driveways.
